Flour-sifter



(No Model.)

S.K.OGDEN.

FLOUR SIFTER.

No. 586,106. Patented July 13, 1897 jnvenhr v w @falzum I j r jy%W v Jliiyr.

we HORNE P511115;

bines simplicity, durability, and cheapness of SARAH K. OGDEN, OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS.

FLOUR-SIFTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 586,106, dated July 13, 1897.

Application filed Aug st 25,1896- To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SARAH K. OGDEN, of Fort Scott, Bourbon county, Kansas, have made certain new and useful Improvements in Flour-Sifters, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to flour-sitters; and my object is to produce a device of this character whereby considerable time, labor, and material are saved in operation, as hereinafter explained, and which will serve also the purpose of a temporary receptacle for flour.

A further object of the invention is to produce a sitter of this character which commanufacture and from which the discharge of flour can be regulated or controlled.

To these ends the invention consists in certain novel and peculiar features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In order that the invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the said accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a central vertical section of a flour-Sifter embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 represents a vertical central section taken in a plane at right angles to the firstnamed figure and showing also in elevation the connection between the push-rod and the crank-arm of the rock-shaft which carries the door or valve normally closing the bottom of the casing. Fig. 3 shows an enlarged detail perspective View of a part of the device hereinafter to be described.

Similar reference-numerals designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, 1 designates a cylindrical casing provided with a handle 2 of the type shown or of any other suitable or preferred construction. A short distance above its lower margin it is provided with abottom consisting of downwardly-converging plates or deflectors 3 3 and the door or valve 4:, which bridges the opening formed between the lower margins of said deflectors. One edge of said valve overlaps the upper side of one deflector 3, while its opposite edge underlaps the under side of the companion $erial No. 603,903. (No model.)

deflector 3, as shown clearly in Fig. 2. At its middle it is mounted rigidly in any suitable manner upon the diametrically-arranged rock-shaft 5, which is journaled at its opposite ends in the casing, and is provided at the end below the handle 2 with the crankarm 6, the arrangement being such that when said crank-arm is depressed to the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2, the valve 4 swings in the direction indicated by the arrows to the position also shown in dotted lines, same figure, so that the flour contained in the casing may pass through the opening thus uncovered.

7 designates a vertical push-rod which extends through the handle 2 and also through the brace-plate 8. It is pivotally connected tothe crank-arm and is provided at its upper end with a head 9, upon which ones thumb may be placed to operate the valve, as described.

In order to hold the valve normally closed, the spiral expansion-spring 1O encircles the rod 7 and bears at its lower end upon the plate 8 and is secured at its upper end to said rod by projecting it through an opening therein or in any other suitable manner. By this arrangement the valve is held in its closed position with the head 9 of the push-rod some distance above the handle, and after each depression of said rod and consequent opening of the valve said spring automatically returns them to their original positions.

Arranged within the casing, about'inidway its height, preferably, is a sieve 11 of the customary semicircular or segmental form. Said sieve is provided with a stiifening-band 12 at its upper margin, of sheet metal, and projecting radially outward from said band and through a circular opening in the wall of the casing and at right angles, preferably, to the rock-shaft 5 is the tube or sleeve 13, and secured vertically to or cast integral with said sleeve at its outer end is the arm 14:, whereby the position or movement of the sieve may be determined, as will be hereinafter explained.

The rotary beater or stirrer for the flour, which operates in conjunction with the sieve, is constructed as follows:

15 designates the shaft. It isjournaled at one end in the sleeve 13 and is provided at said end with a crank-arm 16 and is j ournaled IOC at its opposite end, as at 17, in the casing at a point diametrically opposite to said sleeve. It also extends rotatably through the band 12 of the sieve.

18 designates the radial arms of the beater, which are curved to conform approximately with the sieve 7 in the customary manner.

By the construction thus described it is obvious that the beater may be rotated by turning the crank 16 and that the position of the sieve may be reversedthat is, it may be rotated upon the shaft 15. In order to limit this rotatable movement, however, the stoppin 19 projects inwardly of the casing, as shown in Fig. 1, and this stop-pin is adapted to be engaged at one side or the other by the band of the sieve, accordingly as the beater is rotated in one direction or the other. That is to say, when the sieve is in the position shown in full lines, Fig. 1, the beater must be rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow, full lines, and when thus rotating the tendency of the sieve is to revolve in the same direction through the frictional relation of the sleeve 13 and shaft 15; but this tendency, it will be observed, is resisted by said stop-pin. WVhen the sieve is in this position, the flour is sifted down onto the bottom of the casing. In order, however, that the flour may be resifted without removing it from the casing, I have provided a removable top 20, which closes the upper end of the casing. This top is provided with a marginal flange which embraces the casing and at diametrically opposite points is provided with an aperture 21, to engage the outwardly-projecting pin 22 of the casing, and the lug 23, to be engaged by the spring-catch 24., secured to the casing and inclosed by a keeper 25. This top or cover 20 is adapted to form temporarily the bottom of the casing when the latter is inverted and when the sieve occupies its reversed position, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. When in such inverted position, the beater is rotated in the direction indicated by the dotted arrow, Fig. 1, and consequently causes the flour previously sifted onto the natural bottom of the casing to pass down through the sieve onto the temporary bottom or cover 20. It may now be again resifted by inverting the casing, or rather bringing it to its upright position. Immediately thereafter, or before the sifting operation begins, the crank-handle is grasped and rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow, full lines, and this causes the sieve to swing back to its normal pendent position, as shown in full lines, Fig. 1. The continued movement of the beater or stirrer in the same direction now, of course, sifts the flour through the sieve onto the natural bottom of the casing. By inverting the casing again and changing the direction of rotation of the crank-arm the sieve is again temporarily reversed and the flour sifted down onto the top or cover 20, forming the temporary bottom. By again bringing the casing to upright position and reversing the movement of the crank the sieve is again brought back to its original position and the flour sifted onto the natural bottom of the sieve, as will be readily understood.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the flour may be sifted and resifted as many times as desired, the only manipulation necessary being to reverse the position of the casing and turn the crank-handle in the opposite direction. The slight frictional relation between the sleeve 13 and shaft 15 is sufficient when the movement of the crank is reversed to revolve the sifter also until it comes in contact with said stop-pin, as will be readily understood. Afterthe flourhas been thoroughly sifted it is only necessary for the operator to hold the casing over the point or receptacle to receive the flour and press upon the head 9 and depress the push-rod. When this is done, the flour passes through the opening formed by swinging the valve to the position shown in dotted lines. By depressing the push-rod more or less the quantity escaping may of course be regulated. If it be desired to permit the fiour to pass very lightly into the receptacle, the valve may be opened, as before explained, and the flour sifted down through said opening. It will be apparent, also, that I may dispense with the valve and its operating mechanism, and in lieu thereof provide the casing with a permanently-closed bottom. In this case the flour, as before, will be introduced into the casing from above and then sifted down upon the bottom. The casing will then be inverted and the position of the sieve reversed by reversing the movement of the crank handle, as hereinbefore explained, and the flour sifted down upon the top or cover 20, forming temporarily the bottom. While in such position said temporary bottom maybe removed and the flour deposited where required, or the flour may be sifted back and forth as many times as desired, and then emptied from the casing in the same manner.

By this construction it is obvious that it is necessary that the flour be sifted at least twice, but it is also obvious that a much cheaper flour-sifter is produced. This operation, of course, may be performed with the con struction illustrated-that is, the flour may be introduced into the casing, sifted back and forth as many times as required, and then discharged from the upper end by simply inverting the casing. If it be desired, however, to simply sift the flour once, it will be necessary to employ a casing having an open top and a bottom which may be opened, as shown in the drawings.

To secure the top or cover 20 in place, it is only necessary to slip the opening 21 upon the pin 22 and then force the cover downward so that the beveled surface of the lug 23 shall cause the spring-catch 2 1 to yield outwardly until said spring-catch clears the upper end of said lug, and swinging inwardly locks the cover against accidental displacement.

586,106 r v a To remove the cover, it is only necessary to press the catch outwardly with on es thumb and lift it from the casing.

By forming the bottom with inclined or defleeting sides it is obvious that all of the flour may be easily dislodged and caused to pass through the opening of the bottom when the valve is opened by the depression of the pushbar.

It is obvious from the foregoing that I have produced a flour-sifter which will be found to possess decided advantages over any at present on the market with which I am acquainted.

In the first place all sifters up to the present time have been open at both top and bot tom and consequently when carried from the flour bin, barrel, or sack to the table a certain quantity would sift through upon the floor, and when placed upon the table the slight jar incident to such disposal would cause a second small quantity to sift down upon the table, and this waste continuing day after day in time amounts to considerable. Also when making angel-food and other fine cakes where the flour must be sifted and resifted a number of times it has been necessary to sift the flour through the receptacle, then pour it back into the top of the sifter, sift it through again, replace it in the sifter, and sift it through again, and so on, at a slight loss of material each time and at a considerable loss of time and labor. My sifter is designed to obviate this waste of material, time, and labor, as the casing having a normally-closed bottom may receive the flour and be carried across the room and placed upon the table without any loss, and it may then be sifted back and forth a dozen times with less labor and in a shorter space of time than it can be sifted twice in the old way above described.

It is to be understood that meal or any other finely-ground product may be used with this sifter as well as flour.

, It is also to be understood, of course, that slight changes in the detail construction, form, or arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A flour-sifter, comprising a reversible casing, provided with a reversible sifter, and a rotary beater or stirrer, substantially as described.

2. A flour-sifter, comprising a reversible casing, having a pin projecting inwardly thereof, and provided witha reversible sieve which is adapted to engage one side or the opposite side of said pin, and a rotary beater operating in conjunction therewith.

3. A flour-sifter, comprising a reversible caslng, having a pin projecting inwardly thereof, and provided with a bottom and a removable top, a reversible sifter mounted therein and adaptedto engage one side or the opposite side of said pin, and a rotary beater adapted to operate in conjunction with said sifter.

4. A flour-sifter, comprising a reversible casing, provided with a bottom and a removable top which forms at times a temporary bottom, a pin projecting inwardly from the casing, a reversible sieve within the casing and adapted to engage one side or the other of said pin, and a rotary beater operating in conjunction with said sieve, and provided externally of the casing with a crank-handle, substantially as described.

5. In a flour-sifter, the combination of a reversible casing, having a pin projecting inwardly, a bottom and a removable top, .a reversible sifter therein provided with a sleeve extension which is journaled in the casing, and a rotary sifter journaled in the casing and in said sleeve, and adapted when rotated in one direction to revolve the sifter until it comes in contact with said pin, and adapted when rotated in the opposite direction to swing the sifter back to its original position, where it engages the opposite side of said pin, substantially as described.

6. In a flour-sifter, the combination with a reversible casing, provided with a bottom. and a removable top which forms at times a temporary bottom, a pin projecting inwardly from the casing, a reversible semispherical sieve within the casing and dividing itinto two chambers which communicate only through said sieve, and adapted to engage one side or the other of said pin, and a rotary beater operating within the semispherical sieve at all times, and provided externally of the casing with a crank-handle, substantially as described.

7. A flour-sifter, comprising a suitable casing having a handle, a sieve, a beater, and provided with a bottom consisting of a pair of oppositely-disposed plates and an oscillatory valve bridging the space between said plates, a rock-shaft extending longitudinally of and carrying said valve and journaled in the casing, a push-rod extending vertically through the handle and pivotally connected to a crank-arm at one end of the rock-shaft, and a spring holding said push-rod normally elevated, substantially as described.

8. A flour-sifter, comprising a suitable oasin g, having a handle, a sieve, and beater, and provided with a bottom consisting of a pair of oppositely-disposed plates and an oscillating valve bridging the space between said plates, a rock-shaft extending longitudinally of and carrying the valve, and journaled in the casing, a push-rod extending vertically through the handle and pivotally connected to a crank-arm at one end of the rock-shaft, a spring holding said push-rod normally elevated, and a removable top or cover for the casing, substantially as described.

9. A flour-sifter, comprising a suitable oasing having a handle, a reversible sieve, .and

beater, and provided with a bottom consisting of a pair of oppositely-disposed plates and an oscillating valve bridging the space berod normally elevated, substantially as de- 10 scribed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature tween said plates, a rock-shaft extending lonin presence of two witnesses. gitudinally of and carrying the valve, and journaled in the casing, a push-rod extending vertically through the handle and pivotally connected to a crank-arm at one end of the r0ck-shaft,and a spring holding said push- SARAH K. OGDEN.

Witnesses:

FANNIE MITCHELL, C. W. MITCHELL. 

